How Safe Is It To Travel To Spain

Spain is a lovely country with a beautiful and picturesque coastline. There is so much to do and visit in Spain that many travellers and tourists make multiple visits. Spain’s landscape and local ethnicity mix make it an incredible country to travel around. This is why it has become a top-rated tourist destination. 

Spain is an integral part of Schengen in Europe. As per the prevailing laws, all travellers seeking to enter any of the 26 countries (which are part of Schengen) require that their passport is valid for a minimum of three months beyond the intended date of their departure. This is also valid for a short-term or long-term visit or business or those in transit to a non-Schengen country. It would be best for those planning a visit to Spain to first consult Immigration lawyer US to get complete information on the required legalities and secure a valid visa from the Spanish or any Schengen issuing authority.

Covid Travel Advisory 

Considering the severe effects of the recent pandemic due to Covid-19, Spain is one of the few Schengen countries to have maintained the strictest vigil on the post-peak-pandemic developments of Covid-19. It is the only Schengen country still following the most stringent restrictions to ensure no upsurge through new infections. These measures are in place to protect and maintain good public health. 

Post the most stringent country-wide lockdown of 2020, Spain reopened its internal and external entry-exit points, allowing the movement of its citizens and internal visitors. Soon after the pandemic started to show some semblance of improvement and the country’s vaccination rates increased, Spain began to systematically open its borders for foreign travellers. While doing so, it instituted some of the strictest protocols and travel guidelines. 

With the latest Covid-19 Omicron variant threat in the present-day scenario, Spain has taken strict action and implemented restriction and entry protocols for arrivals from several countries. 

Safety Tips

Notwithstanding this, many avid travellers visit Spain for business and pleasure while following all the guidelines and ensuring regulatory and medical compliance. It is widely believed that Spain is relatively safe as a tourist destination. Even though a country is considered safe, crime can happen anywhere. Besides the crime factor, it is best to focus on health and medical advice. 

If you plan to be in the country for a longer duration, you should seek the assistance of an expert on ILR application before leaving your country. Also, besides health and medical regulations, it might help to look at a few extra yet fundamental tips on ‘How to be safe in Spain’ to help you navigate your stay while in the country.

• Watch your bags at all times and keep them locked. 
• There are scamsters worldwide, and Spain is no exception. Be wary and alert of the unreal promises of tourist guides and rates of ethnic artifacts.
• Thugs dressed as police officers are a common way of cheating, so be careful.
• Take extreme care and precaution to stay away from any kind of drugs. Specifically, if you visit a bar, pub, or club for any party. Spain is very strict when it comes to recreational drugs. Ask for guidance from your hotel or a trustworthy person on which bars and pubs you could visit. 
• Take care on beaches in Spain. These are hotspot places for thieves and thugs. 
• Best if you can learn a little bit of Spanish to help you steer your way around. Else, buy a pocket translation guide. 

Insurance & Legal

There are conditional exemptions implemented by Spain, especially concerning closing its borders for visitors. While border closure is implemented, the authorities have allowed specific conditional entry for essential reasons. These include travel for studies, highly skilled essential workers, and health workers. 

All tourists wishing to enter Spain must be fully vaccinated with a minimum of two doses and must have a gap of 14 days post the date of last vaccination as on the date of their entry. It is, however, recommended that an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) be availed by the traveller before entering Spain or any other European country. If your stay is likely to extend for a longer duration, and you need the requisite guidance on Indefinite leave to stay, you should consult experts.

Besides this, and if possible, travellers should also obtain comprehensive travel insurance to cover all the medical costs (if so required). Throughout the entire time of your visit to Spain, please remember that wearing a mask in all public places and on public transport is mandatory.